Speaking with reporters, Allen commented on the team’s decision to keep four tight ends on the roster. “I think you’ll see TEs have to (play FB role).. I think it puts a bind on defenses.. It messes with some rules. Whatever gives us an advantage in the run or pass game.. The 4 TEs we have are very smart and can do what they’re asked to do,” Allen said.

The tight ends tasked with delivering on offense are Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes, and Keleki Latu. All four have earned Allen’s full confidence and will play crucial roles around him.

Josh Allen’s ongoing Super Bowl motivation

Allen remains driven by the goal to reach a Super Bowl rather than settling for contender status where big-game pressure has previously taken a toll. For the quarterback, that internal drive extends back to his early football journey.

“Having zero offers out of high school, and still playing with that little chip that I have,” Allen said. “Going into the season, blank slate — we’re all 0-0. It’s a new season. I’m just trying to enjoy this game that I love.”

The Bills continue practice this week, with another session scheduled for Wednesday, as they ramp up toward their season opener against the Houston Texans on September 13.

Coaching staff and front office maintain high expectations

Head coach Joe Brady and the front office also met with the media, projecting strong confidence in the group. Brady, entering his first NFL season as head coach after four years on the Bills’ staff, noted that expectations remain unchanged.

“There’s not a person in this room or this city or wherever that has higher expectations, and I’m always asking them myself,” Brady said. The external pressure comes especially after team owner Terry Pegula pointed to what he called the “proverbial playoff wall” facing the franchise.

“We’ve been a steady contender. We didn’t win the division last year, but we still made the postseason,” general manager Brandon Beane said. “We’re excited about this team and excited about what’s still coming together. I’m not going to sit up here and make any crazy predictions; we haven’t even played a game.”

This is primarily about preserving the players’ health with the regular-season opener just around the corner. The decision was made following last Thursday’s joint practice, where both coaches were able to see the results they were looking for on the field.

The Browns appear to be exploring other options, and at least at the quarterback position, it looks like both Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders will get the chance to play for the Dawg Pound. Slowly but surely, both teams are beginning to finalize the details of what is expected to be a difficult season.

Respect for Deshaun Watson

The Bills and Browns had an interesting joint practice ahead of their preseason matchup, where Josh Allen and Deshaun Watson went head-to-head on the field in Ohio. The two players have known each other for a long time, and that mutual respect was evident in Allen’s words about his colleague.

“Just glad to see him out there,” Allen said to the press. “I know how frustrating that can be to not be out there with your teammates and your brothers and continuing to fight to get back healthy, to get back on the field. And when you get there and then it happens again, so to have that mental resolve. Not a lot of people have that. It’s good to see him healthy again.”

What’s next for the Bills?

The Bills’ preseason debut came against the Carolina Panthers at home, resulting in a 29-14 victory. After their game against the Browns, only one preseason matchup will remain: against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the new Highmark Stadium next Thursday, August 27.

Buffaloes’ first challenges

Being a contender means getting off to a strong start in a season that promises to be highly competitive. Under new head coach Joe Brady, these will be the first challenges facing Bills Mafia starting in Week 1:

• Week 1, at Houston Texans – September 13
• Week 2, vs Detroit Lions – September 17
• Week 3, vs Los Angeles Chargers – September 27
• Week 4, vs New England Patriots – October 4
• Week 5, at Los Angeles Rams – October 12

“Everybody that’s healthy is going to be playing out there on Saturday,” the head coach Joe Brady said Thursday during his press conference regarding Allen‘s status. Number 17 is the team’s biggest star, and his health will allow him to play several snaps.

ESPN and National NFL reporter Cameron Wolfe revealed on X the latest on Bryce Young’s status for this matchup in Orchard Park: “Bryce Young will plan 10-15 snaps today with starters. He’s having his best training camp as a pro, per multiple Panthers contacts.”

With Allen as the top star

Heading into the 2026 NFL season, the Buffalo Bills are determined to maintain their reign as top contenders in the AFC East, driven by the elite leadership and dual-threat prowess of superstar quarterback Josh Allen. Coming off a strong 2025 campaign where they posted an impressive 12-5 record, Buffalo remains focused on making another deep playoff run.

As they fine-tune their roster, the Bills will build momentum through their upcoming preseason matchups, traveling to face the Cleveland Browns on August 22 before returning home to host the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 27.

Carolina looks to pull off an upset

Building off an 8-9 finish in 2025 that saw them capture the NFC South title, the Carolina Panthers enter this campaign all-in on Bryce Young as their centerpiece to elevate the offense to the next level.

While the young franchise quarterback anchors their aspirations, Carolina is working through preseason adjustments—including navigating a hamstring injury sustained by Haynes King against the Cardinals in the Hall of Fame Game—as they tune up in remaining exhibition matchups at the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 21 and home against the Houston Texans on August 28.

“We’ve put it in the past. We’ve learned from it,” Allen said during an appearance on the “This Is Football” podcast. “And we’ve been in the playoffs a lot of times in the last however many years I’ve been here now — just continuing to find ways to learn from it. And I think it’s a hard pill to swallow sometimes because we haven’t gotten it done.

“But you knock enough at the door, it’s going to open at some point. And that’s just what we have to keep doing is keep knocking on that door and giving ourselves chances to be in that situation again.”

The 1990s could have represented the ultimate glory for Bills Mafia in terms of championships, but far from that, they still have not been able to lift a Vince Lombardi Trophy. Will this be the season, with Joe Brady as their new head coach, when everything changes?

The Bills’ thorn

The Buffalo Bills have appeared in four Super Bowls in their franchise history, remarkably reaching the championship game in four consecutive years from 1991 to 1994—an NFL record. Unfortunately, despite this historic streak, they were unable to secure a victory, falling to the New York Giants, Washington Redskins, and twice to the Dallas Cowboys.

• Super Bowl XXV (Jan 27, 1991): Buffalo Bills 19, New York Giants 20
• Super Bowl XXVI (Jan 26, 1992): Buffalo Bills 24, Washington Redskins 37
• Super Bowl XXVII (Jan 31, 1993): Buffalo Bills 17, Dallas Cowboys 52
• Super Bowl XXVIII (Jan 30, 1994): Buffalo Bills 13, Dallas Cowboys 30

New year, same goal for the Bills

Josh Allen will once again lead the Bills, who, following Sean McDermott’s departure, will be aiming to be playing in February. With a challenging schedule and several tough opponents awaiting them in 2026, Buffalo is determined to reclaim the AFC East title.

• Week 1, at Houston Texans – September 13
• Week 2, vs Detroit Lions – September 17
• Week 3, vs Los Angeles Chargers – September 27
• Week 4, vs New England Patriots – October 4
• Week 5, at Los Angeles Rams – October 12

“It’s going good,” the former Chicago Bears receiver said, via Katherine Fitzgerald of the Buffalo News. “I mean, it’s gonna be perfect later on, but right now it’s still growing pains.”

After his stint in the Windy City, Moore arrives in Buffalo with the intention of becoming his new quarterback’s top target. All signs point to that happening by Week 1, as the chemistry between the two continues to develop steadily, albeit gradually.

Moore must regain his elite level

Despite coming off a down year with the Chicago Bears in 2025, where he registered a career-low 682 receiving yards on 50 catches but still managed to grab 6 touchdowns, DJ Moore is poised to completely revitalize the Buffalo Bills’ offense in 2026.

The Bills aggressively addressed their desperate need for a proven veteran weapon by executing a blockbuster trade at the start of the league year, sending their 2026 second-round pick (No. 60 overall) to Chicago in exchange for Moore and a 2026 fifth-round selection.

This move sets up a massive offensive boost for Buffalo; not only does Moore excel at destroying man coverage and stretching the field, but he also perfectly pairs with Josh Allen and reunites with Joe Brady, under whom Moore recorded back-to-back 1,100-plus yard campaigns in Carolina.

An intriguing receiving corps for Allen

Josh Allen is going to have some serious fun spreading the ball around this year with a completely revamped targets list. Leading the charge is the aforementioned Moore, while Joshua Palmer slides in as a super reliable, physical weapon on the outside. Add the chemistry he already has with Khalil Shakir working out of the slot, and Allen suddenly has a dynamic, incredibly well-rounded trio ready to make some noise in 2026.

For many fans, the Bills have yet to fully live up to expectations. Despite having an elite talent like Josh Allen at quarterback, the club has been unable to capture ultimate postseason glory, and even GM Brandon Beane is upset about not reaching the Super Bowl yet.

While Allen has been an outstanding asset for the franchise, the weapons at his disposal have often fallen short of the elite standard set by the quarterback. Keon Coleman is well aware of this reality, openly admitting that the 2026 campaign could be his last in Buffalo if he fails to deliver better performances on the field.

“For me, it’s make or break,” Keon Coleman told reporters after Buffalo’s Tuesday OTA session, via ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg. “If you s—, you might not be here, simple as that. I know what I’m capable of. So, if I fall anything short of that, I’m doing myself a disservice and my team.”

The Bills have not taken advantage of recent opportunities

Throughout his tenure in Buffalo, Josh Allen has faced heavy scrutiny for his inability to guide the team to a Super Bowl. Last season, he seemingly had a golden opportunity to make a deep run, yet the signal-caller and his squad failed to capitalize on the situation.

With Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson all missing from the postseason field in 2025, many fans believed the path to the Super Bowl was wide open for Allen. Instead, the Bills failed to live up to expectations, suffering a disappointing Divisional Round loss to the Denver Broncos.

This outcome has only intensified the pressure weighing on Allen. Even with the conference’s premier quarterbacks sidelined, he was unable to lead the Bills to a championship breakthrough, leaving many to wonder whether Buffalo can ever truly become the powerhouse fans believe they are.

The Bills’ key offseason addition that will impact Coleman

Hoping to remedy these offensive struggles, the Bills front office secured the services of a dynamic new weapon this offseason. Buffalo completed a major trade with the Chicago Bears to acquire wide receiver DJ Moore, landing a proven top target for Allen but directly altering the trajectory for Keon Coleman.

Following Moore’s arrival, the wide receiver depth chart has undergone a significant shift. Coleman now finds himself slotted as the WR4, sliding down a spot and making it even more challenging to carve out consistent targets in what is shaping up to be a decisive season for his future in Buffalo.

Reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN, the outside linebacker will now play for the Buffalo Bills on a one-year deal after visiting them last week. Danna is a very good player. While not racking up huge numbers, Danna was also reliable to make key plays for the Chiefs back in the day.

The Bills need that. Their pass-rush has been an issue for quite a while, and while Danna is unlikely to get 10+ sacks, he can get you 5-7 in key moments. The Bills hope that a better defense will take some pressure off of Josh Allen’s shoulders.

The Bills have tried many pass-rushers to no effect

Von Miller and Joey Bosa were huge names that the Bills brought in recent years to bolster their pass rush, and while not bad, they weren’t the difference-makers the Bills thought they could be.

This year, they did the same thing again by signing Bradley Chubb to a three-year, $43.5 million deal. However, now they got Danna too, and recently-drafted TJ Parker out of Clemson. The Bills are hoping at least one of them becomes a threat to opposing quarterbacks.

The Bills have a solid roster to work with

Buffalo strengthened its main needs this offseason. As you can see, the pass-rush has been bolstered. However, Josh Allen also got a major upgrade in his receiving core, as the Bills brought DJ Moore to the team, a certified WR1.

They also used a second-rounder in corner Davison Igbinosun to improve their secondary. All in all, they addressed their main needs in hopes of providing Josh Allen with a roster capable of going to the Super Bowl.

According to Jeremy Fowler, this is the first reported visit since he was released by the Chiefs in February. Danna, who is 28 years old, had spent all his career in Kansas City prior to his release.

The Bills ranked 20th in sacks in 2025, so bringing an experienced, proven winner like Danna into the team will surely help on improving that statistic. The Bills need good depth in the defensive end position and Danna could fill that hole. Josh Allen could have more leeway on offense as well.

Danna’s career numbers are not as impressive, but he is a force

Danna has been in the NFL since 2020 and has racked up 21.5 sacks during that time. He was a regular starter for the Chiefs since 2023, but given the fact that they’ve restructured their defensive line, Danna was a needed release.

The Bills could definitely take advantage of that. Danna just had one sack last season, but it was a down year for basically all of the Chiefs team. That could help the Bills though, as they could sign him with a discount, and then see him flourish once again.

The Bills defensive line has great upside

The Bills use a 3-4 base formation. The Bills just brought Jim Leonhard as their new defensive coordinator. He is coming from the Denver Broncos, so he is likely to use a very aggressive pass rush without much blitz.

• DE – TJ Sanders (this is where Danna could fit)
• NT – Deone Walker
• DT – Ed Oliver
• LOLB – Greg Rousseau
• WLB – Dorian Williams
• MLB – Terrel Bernard
• ROLB – Bradley Chubb

“I think it definitely changes the mindset a little bit. I am very excited,” Allen said, via the team’s website. “I do think this is going to be the best version of myself in all aspects in my professional career and my personal life.

“That ‘want to win’ will never change. The ‘why I want to do it’ has. So why I want to do it and to show my family, to show my daughter how hard you need to work in order to accomplish something so great. And as long as I play this game, that’s going to be my mindset.”

Allen wants to remove a big thorn from his side

Josh Allen enters the 2026 season with the singular goal of reaching his first Super Bowl, following another dominant but ultimately heartbreaking campaign. In 2025, Allen maintained his status as an elite “touchdown machine,” recording 3,668 passing yards with 25 touchdowns through the air, while remaining a lethal threat on the ground with 14 rushing scores.

Despite leading the Buffalo Bills to a 12–5 record and a Wild Card victory over the Jaguars, their postseason run ended in the Divisional Round with a devastating 33–30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos. With a career total of 29 playoff passing touchdowns and high efficiency, Allen’s primary challenge remains overcoming these late-game hurdles to finally secure a spot on the NFL’s biggest stage.

Buffalo has its star back from injury

Shortly before the end of last season, Allen suffered a foot injury that forced him to play at less than full strength. Now recovered, the quarterback has progressed through his rehabilitation and is participating in OTAs without restrictions.

“It feels really good right now. I don’t feel like I have any limitations,” he said. “A little piece of bone just kind of broke off and was floating there so they just went in, took it out, kind of like a small rock. They literally just cut it out, left it on the table and sewed it back up, and scar tissue will form around it.”

Earlier this year, the Bills decided to part ways with Sean McDermott following a disappointing Divisional Round exit. After an extensive search, the organization determined the best candidate was already in-house, elevating Brady from offensive coordinator to head coach on January 27.

While Brady is thrilled to lead the franchise, the transition has been somewhat surreal. He recently revealed that Josh Allen has shifted to calling him “Coach” instead of “Joe”—a formal change that Brady admits feels “bizarre” and is taking some time to get used to.

“Honestly, the hardest thing is — it’s driving me crazy — him calling me ‘coach,’” head coach Joe Brady said, via Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News. “I hate that.”

A massive opportunity for Joe Brady

The Bills remain perennial Super Bowl contenders, and with Brady at the helm, the team is expected to adopt an even more aggressive, offensive-minded philosophy. Brady’s familiarity with the roster is a significant advantage, and the team’s recent offseason additions—most notably DJ Moore—are expected to further elevate the unit.

Crucially, the relationship between Brady and Allen remains the foundation of the team’s success. The two have been “attached at the hip” since 2022, and maintaining that strong bond will be vital as they navigate the pressure of a “championship or bust” 2026 season.

As of today, expectations are sky-high in Western New York. If the Bills fail to reach the Super Bowl this year, the “bust” narrative will likely return to haunt Buffalo, intensifying the pressure on both the new head coach and his star quarterback.

On March 11, the Bills fulfilled Josh Allen’s wish by securing a new WR1. The club acquired DJ Moore via trade from the Chicago Bears, a move that has led fans to believe the quarterback finally has a truly formidable receiving corps.

Joe Brady, who recently took over as head coach, shares this sentiment. He has praised Moore’s skillset and believes his presence will draw enough defensive attention to help the other pass catchers shine.

“Having a guy like DJ it’s going to help both of them,” Brady said about wide receiver Khalil Shakir and tight end Dalton Kincaid, via the team’s website. “[Defenses] can’t just focus on one particular person. It gives us another layer of somebody on the outside. Khalil and Dalton have attacked a lot of the middle of the field, a lot of the inside zones . . . It was important to get a skill set like DJ, a guy that can stretch it, can win one-on-one, can get the ball in his hands, and he can win on a slant.”

The Bills’ offense looks very solid

The Bills have primarily thrived thanks to Josh Allen‘s individual brilliance. However, it appears the front office is now determined to provide him with more support, adding weapons rather than relying solely on the quarterback’s “clutch” heroics.

Not only do the Bills possess an outstanding RB1 in James Cook, but the variety of pass catchers at Allen’s disposal looks incredibly deep. DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, Joshua Palmer, Keon Coleman, Mecole Hardman Jr., Dalton Kincaid, and Dawson Knox are just a few of the names set to feature in this high-powered offense.

In the 2026 NFL Draft, the Bills are not expected to use their first-round pick (26th overall) on a wide receiver. Instead, they are likely to bolster the position in the later rounds, hoping to land a “hidden gem” to round out the depth chart.

Super Bowl or bust?

Last season, many believed the Bills had a clear path to Super Bowl LX with Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow absent from the playoffs. However, they were stunned by Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round.

In 2026, expectations are significantly higher. The Bills are currently favorites to win the AFC East despite the impressive 2025 campaign turned in by the New England Patriots. As of today, it seems the Super Bowl is the standard; anything less would be considered a disappointment for Buffalo.